Oxygen and inhalant mask



Filed Jan. 15, 1962 INVENTOR. [37278 Z. 5204/40 ATTOE/YA-X Patented May 11, 1965 3,182,659 OXYGEN AND INHALANT MASK Lester L. Blount, Midway City, Calif, assignor to Gordon D. McMaude, Midway City, Calif. Filed Jan. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 166,058 9 Claims. (Cl. 128-205) This invention relates to oxygen and inhalant masks, and is a continuation-in-part of my copending application for Face Mask, filed July 1, 1959, Serial No. 824,378, now abandoned. Included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an oxygen and inhalant mask which is particularly adapted for emergency and medicinal use; that is, for use as an oxygen mask or for supplyingvarious inhalants or infusions to a patient.

Second, to provide an oxygen and inhalant mask which is particularly simple and economical of manufacture, and which is transparent to permit observation of the patients mouth and nose, the mask being formed of a molded plastic membrane. Third, to provide an oxygen and inhalant mask wherein the face-engaging portion is contoured to form a wall essentially parallel to the end of the nose and is provided with an aperture to receive an oxygen or inhalant supply unit so arranged as to have a discharge and directed toward the nostrils of the patient, and adjustable to and from the nostrils.

Fourth, to provide an oxygen and inhalant mask which incorporates simple yet effective check valve means which may be arranged for exhalation only, or may be arranged to permit exhalation through one valve means and inhalation through the other to prevent suffocation, should the supply of oxygen be exhausted or should it be desirable to dilute the oxygen.

Fifth, to provide an oxygen and inhalant mask which incorporates interchangeable and readily insertable medicament supply and premixing units, and which may incorporate means whereby additional medicament may be introduced without removing the mask or mixing unit.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical, sectional view of the mask shown arranged for use with an oxygen-supplying unit, and indicating by broken lines the position of the face of the patient;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the lower portion of the mask equipped with an adapter to adjust the mask for use by a child;

FIGURE 3 is a front View of the mask with the oxygen unit and valves omitted and with a portion of the mask broken away to show the childs chin adapter;

FIGURE 4 is a partial side view, partial sectional view of the inhalant unit, usable interchangeably with the oxygen unit;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view through 5-5 of FIGURE 4 showing an aspirator adapted for use in the inhalant unit;

FIGURE 6 is a front view of one of the mask'valves with portions broken away to illustrate its internal construction;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view thereof taken through 77 of FIGURE 6. 7 I

The oxygen and inhalant mask includes a mask member 1 formed of translucent or transparent plastic material, preferably a material which is also yieldable to a limited extent.

The mask 1 is essentially pear-shaped in front aspect. The base or open side of the mask is provided with a marginal flange 2. The upper or apex end of the mask 1 is provided with a recess 3 which fits over the bridge of the nose between the eyes of the patient. The base side continues downwardly from the recess 3, over the cheeks, and then under the chin of the patient, and tends to seal against the flesh, particularly when the mask is pressed against the face.

In order to secure the mask 1 in place, the marginal flange 2 is provided with laterally extending tabs 4 which are slit to receive a head-encircling elastic band, not shown. e

The upper forward portion 5 of the mask 1 covers the nose of the patient and is spaced therefrom. Opposite sides of this portion are provided with valve apertures 6, each of which receives a valve '7.

Each valve 7 includes a pair of mating ring members 8 and 9 having annular telescoping flanges so that these members form therebetween an angular groove 10. Each valve 7 is dimensioned so that it may be forced into the corresponding aperture 6 until the margins of the aperture fit in the groove 10.

The ring members 8 and 9 form therebetween a valve cavity 11 in which is loosely positioned a plate valve element 12. One of the ring members forms a valve seat for engagement by'the valve element 12, whereas the other ring member is provided with stop lugs 13, so that the plate valve element 12 functions as a check valve.

Each valve 7 may be inserted either side out in its aperture so that each valve may be positioned to function as an exhaling valve or an inhaling valve.

The nose covering portion 5 terminates in. a downwardly facing ofiset wall 14 which is inclined downwardly and rearwardly, is disposed below the end of the nose of the patient, and is spaced therefrom when the mask is worn. The wall 14 is provided with an aperture 15 in approximate alignment with the nasal passages of the nose.

Forwardly of the chin of the patient the mask member 1 is provided with a lower frontal portion 16 joined to the wall 14 to provide space for an oxygen or inhalant unit.

Shown in connection with FIGURE 1 is a cylindrical oxygen inlet tube 17 of plastic material having pairs of ribs which form grooves 13. The cylindrical oxygen unit 17 is dimensioned so that it may be forced into the aperture 15 and located at different axial positions with respect to the patients nose.

The outer or lower end of the oxygen unit 17 is provided with a cap 19 having a tubular stem 20. The stem 26) is adapted to be inserted in an adapter fitting 21. The adapter fitting 21 is formed of a yieldable plastic material and may be provided with internal screw threads 22 dimensioned so as to be forced over the stem 20 which need not be screw-threaded.

The adapter fitting 21 is also provided with external screw threads 23 which not only provide corrugations to aid in forcing the adapter fitting 21 onto the stem 20 but also to provide a screw-threaded means for con- Q nection to other devices, not shown. The extended end of the adapter fitting 21 terminates in a screw-threaded stem 24 of reduced diameter which is adapted to be forced into a plastic oxygen supply tube 25.

A medicament unit 26, shown in FIGURE 4, may be substituted for the oxygen unit 17. The medicament unit 26 includes a mixing tube 27 having a tubular stem 28 of reduced diameter at its lower end and a removable snap cover 29 at its upper end.

Extending angularly upwardly from one side of the mixing tube 27 is a side tube 30 having an enlarged upper end 31 equipped with pairs of ribs which form grooves 18 similar to the grooves provided in the oxygen unit 17. The enlarged end 31 may be forced into the aperture and adjusted longitudinally with respect to the patients nose.

An aspirator element 32 is adapted to be forced into the stem 28.

In order to adapt the mask to patients having different facial dimensions, particularly to permit the adapting of the mask to a childs face, it is provided with a chin adapter 33 which is generally crescent-shape in form. The chin adapter includes an arcuate portion 34 adapted to fit over the chin of a child, and a crescent-shaped flange 35 extends between the arcuate portion 34 and the chin portion of the mask member 1.

The flange 35 may be provided with a rim 36 which snaps over the marginal flange 2 of the mask member 1. The arcuate portion 34 and flange 35 may be connected by reinforcing ribs 37.

The mask is utilized as an oxygen mask as follows:

The mask is fitted over the mouth and nose of the patient and held in place by the headband connected to the tabs 4. One or both of the valves 7 are arranged as exhaling valves. The oxygen unit 17 is forced into the aperture 15 until it occupies a position in close relation to the nostrils of the patient.

Oxygen is then supplied through the tube and oxygen unit 17, and is drawn immediately into the nostrils of the patient when the patient breathes inward. The oxygen is supplied at low pressure so that when the patient breathes outward there is a tendency to create a back pressure in the nozzle supply unit 17 that blocks the entrance of oxygen until the patient ceases to breathe outward. However, the oxygen is immediately available as the patient again inhales.

When the mask is used as an inhalant mask, the mask operates in substantially the same manner; that is, the enlarged end 31 of the side tube is inserted in the aperture 15. The cover 29 is removed and a small quantity of an inhalant-type medicine is deposited in the lower end of the mixing tube 27 so that the inhalant is mixed with the air or oxygen delivered through the supply tube and stem 28.

The inhalant mixture, like the oyygen, is directed toward the nostrils of the user so as to be drawn immediately therein when the patient inhales. When the patient exhales, the flow tends to be blocked, but the flow is immediately resumed when the patient again inhales.

In some instances, it is desirable to remove one or both of the valves 7. While this results in some dilution of the oxygen or inhalant, the close proximity of the supply tube 17 or 31 minimizes the dilution under normal conditions of operation. However, in the event of an emergency, due to the lack of supply of air or oxygen through the tube 25, sufiicient air is available through the aperture 6.

When the mask is used on a child patient, the chin adapter 33 is inserted.

In practice the mask is packed as a kit, with the childs adapter and with either the oxygen supply unit 17 or medicament unit 26, or both, as well as the supply tube 25.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details of the constructions set forth, and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A gas inhalation mask comprising: a mask body of yieldable plastic material proportioned to cover the mouth and nose of a wearer, said body having a downwardly facing offset portion spaced below the wearers nose when the mask is Worn, said offset portion having an aperture; and an inlet tube projecting through said aperture, said tube having axially spaced grooves proportioned to selectively receive said offset portion at the margin of said aperture so as to axially adjust said inlet tube with reference to said mask body, whereby to position said inlet tube with its inner end adjusted to proximity to the wearers nose such as to provide a highly concentrated gas delivery to the nose, said inlet tube being so proportioned with relation to said aperture margin to accommodate axial shift of said inlet tube in said aperture from one of said grooves to another.

2. A mask as defined in claim 1, wherein said grooves are of narrow width such as to snugly embrace said aperture margin.

3. A mask as defined in claim 1, wherein said inlet tube embodies integral annular beads arranged in closely spaced pairs each defining a respective one of said grooves.

4. A mask as defined in claim 1, wherein said aperture is circular and said inlet tube has a cylindrical external surface and embodies a plurality of pairs of beads integral with and projecting outwardly from said cylindrical surface, each pair of beads defining a respective one of said grooves, the beads in each pair being closely spaced so as to snugly embrace said aperture margin.

5. A mask as defined in claim 1, wherein said mask body has an exhalation aperture in a side portion thereof.

6. In a gas-inhalation mask, in combination: a mask body of yieldable plastic material having a free margin contoured for fitted contact with a Wearers face surface along a line extending over the bridge of the nose, downwardly on respective sides of the mouth and beneath the chin, and including, as a front portion thereof, a nose section inclined downwardly and forwardly from its upper extremity and terminating in a downwardly and rearwardly inclined olfset portion having an aperture, and a lower frontal portion disposed beneath said offset portion; means for attaching said mask body to the face of a wearer; and a gas inlet tube projecting through said aperture in fitted relation thereto and having on its external surface, a plurality of pairs of relatively closely spaced annular beads, each pair of beads defining a respective annular groove for receiving the aperture-defining margin of said ofi'set portion of the mask body in a manner to fixedly position said inlet tube in said offset portion in a selected position of axial adjustment, said aperturedefining margin and said inlet tube being relatively yieldable in response to axial pressure of said beads whereby said inlet tube can be adjusted axially to vary the extent of projection of its inner end into the mask by locating said marginal portion in any selected one of said grooves, whereby the inner end of said inlet tube can be adjusted to close proximity to the nose of the wearer to provide maximum concentration of oxygen delivery to the nose; said pairs of beads being axially spaced from one another by predetermined spacings providing for predetermined positions of projection of the inner end of said tube into said mask body.

7. A mask as defined in claim 6, wherein said mask body has an exhalation aperture in a side wall of said nose section.

8. A mask as defined in claim 6, including a cap having a snap-fitting rim coupling it to the lower end of said 5 6 inlet tube; and a fitting mounted on said cap, for connec- 2,605,764 8/52 Adams et al. 128-194 XR tion to a length of oxygen-supply tubing. 2,818,861 1/58 Russell 128-205 9. A mask as defined in claim 6, including a pair of 2,823,671 2/58 Garelick 128-146 exhalation valves mounted in openings in respective sides 2,843,122 7/58 Hudson 128146 of said nose section, at least one of said valves being 5 2,856,922 10/58 Kahan 128-203 bodily removable and reversible to constitute an inhalation valve. FOREIGN PATENTS 866,616 4/61 G tB 't References Cited by the Examiner 963,246 12/49, igg U ml UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 938,247 10/09 Kuhn RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. 2,421,359 5/47 Sutherland 128-195 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner. 

1. A GAS INHALATION MASK COMPRISING: A MASK BODY OF YIELDABLE PLASTIC MATERIAL PROPORTIONED TO COVER THE MOUTH AND NOSE OF A WEARER, SAID BODY HAVING A DOWNWARDLY FACING OFFSET PORTION SPACED BELOW THE WEARER''S NOSE WHEN THE MASK IS WORN, SAID OFFSET PORTION HAVING AN APERTURE; AND AN INLET TUBE PROJECTING THROUGH SAID APERTURE, SAID TUBE HAVING AXIALLY SPACED GROOVES PROPORTIONED TO SELECTIVELY RECEIVE SAID OFFSET PORTION AT THE MARGIN OF SAID APERTURE SO AS TO AXIALLY ADJUST SAID INLET TUBE WITH REFERENCE TO SAID MASK BODY, WHEREBY TO POSITION SAID INLET TUBE WITH ITS INNER END ADJUSTED TO PROXIMITY TO THE WEARER''S NOSE SUCH AS TO PROVIDE A HIGHLY CONCENTRATED GAS DELIVERY TO THE NOSE, SAID INLET TUBE BEING SO PROPORTIONED WITH RELATION TO SAID APERTURE MARGIN TO ACCOMMODATE AXIAL SHIFT OF SAID INLET TUBE IN SAID APERTURE FROM ONE OF SAID GROOVES TO ANOTHER. 